Protection of hurting, brave Irishmen must come before results, writes George Hook in the Irish Independent.
"The tour has been saved, trumpeted the experts. The team had shown the character necessary to fight back against the Maori and the group could now travel to Brisbane in good heart ready to take the fight to the Wallabies. However, it would be a tragedy were Ireland to beat Australia, because it would disguise problems for the game that have not seen the light of day. A victory for Ireland would disprove, the apologists will say, the theory that players are in the grip of fatigue, playing when hurt and risking long-term physical and mental damage.
"Brian O'Driscoll, 24 hours before he was due to line out against the All Blacks in a Test, was not fit to take part in the captain's run. An attack of vertigo we were told was the problem. The symptoms of vertigo -- ringing in the ears and dizziness -- are coincidentally the same for concussion. Ireland's greatest, and indeed the bravest player of all time, has played below his best this season. Not a match has taken place that he has not received on-field treatment. But worryingly, all too often he has looked dazed and not fully aware of his surroundings after yet another trademark hit in defence of his country's sporting honour."
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